250MW Urban Solar Project starts up

California, 15 August 2008 - Southern California Edison (SCE) has begun installing solar panels at the first of approximately 150 Southern California commercial rooftops that eventually will make up the company's two square mile (5 square kilometre) solar generation project.Subject to regulatory approval, during the next five years SCE plans to install 250 MW of PV capacity, though decisions have not yet been made on other building sites or panel suppliers.

During the next month or so, SCE will attach 33,000 solar panels to a 600,000 square-foot (55,200 square metre) commercial roof in Fontana, leased from ProLogis. When completed, the installation will generate 2 MW. Thin-film Solar Photovoltaic company First Solar is to supply the PV system for this first installation.

This project was prompted by recent reductions in the cost of installed PV generation, according to SCE. When combined with the size of SCE's investment, the resulting costs per unit are projected to be half that of common photovoltaic installations in California. SCE asked the CPUC for approval to install the solar cell technology during the next five years. The request estimates the total project cost will be US $875 million.

Subject to regulatory approval, during the next five years SCE plans to install 250 MW of PV capacity, though decisions have not yet been made on other building sites or panel suppliers.

"This project will turn two square miles of unused commercial rooftops into advanced solar generating stations," said John Bryson, Edison International's CEO. "We hope to have the first solar rooftops in service by August. The sunlight power will be available to meet our largest challenge - peak load demands on the hottest days.

Original Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com